Clam "Chowda" - nothing "finah"

I normally post recipes on my other blog but, at the request of my dear father and darling Grandparents, I'm posting my favorite clam chowder (pronounced "Chowda" if you live in Maine) here today.  I've always loved chowder, and that is, of course, one of the perks of living on the coast!! :)  Enjoy!  LOVE AND MISS YOU GRANDMA, GRANDPA and DAD!!!

"My Best Clam Chowda" (courtesy of Kim Wheeler)

Ingredients

• 3 (6.5 ounce) cans minced clams
• 1 cup minced onion
• 1 cup diced celery
• 2 cups cubed potatoes
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 quart half-and-half cream
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Drain juice from clams into a large skillet over the onions, celery, potatoes and carrots. Add water to cover, and cook over medium heat until tender.
2. Meanwhile, in a large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Whisk in cream and stir constantly until thick and smooth. Stir in vegetables and clam juice. Heat through, but do not boil.
3. Stir in clams just before serving. If they cook too much they get tough. When clams are heated through, stir in vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.

Puppies

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of ours invited us over to see her friend's puppies.  The kids LOVED them!  They kept begging us to take the puppies home with us!  Each child picked out a different favorite puppy - but my favorite was Wiggles' love/fear relationship with her puppy - she loved snuggling with him, but was terrified any time he tried to lick her, or basically any time he even tried to move!  It was hilarious!  It's too bad I'm not a 'dog person' - I think my children would really enjoy having one!  Maybe someday....(when my kids are old enough to poop scoop!) :)

Love is in the air

This morning I walked into Grins' bedroom to find him dressing in his suit.  I asked why he was dressing up and he replied "I'm going to marry (Angel)!"  A few moments later I found Grins and Angel together in the front room, with Grins trying to fit Angel with a 'veil'.  They then said "Clap for us - we just got married!"  (I later asked Angel why she already had a baby at her wedding, and this was her explanation: 'I adopted her from one of my friends, because she was my friend's ninth child, and my friend said that eight kids was enough.  She didn't want to take care of more than 8 kids.")  Where does she come up with this stuff?  Hilarious!

They are so adorable, entertaining, inventive and fun!  I often wish I had no other responsibilities than to simply sit and watch them and play with them all day long...what a wonderful life that would be!  I am very glad, however, to have my kitchen in the center of my home, which enables me to watch them almost all of the time (since the kitchen seems to be where I spend 95% of my time....if I installed my washer and dryer in one of the cupboards, I might never leave the kitchen!)

My children bring me more joy than I could ever have imagined.  I can't think of anything which brings me more happiness than watching them love one another and peacefully play together.  Life is good!

Mr. Photographer

I picked up my camera this morning and, lo and behold, there were 27 new pictures on it that I didn't take.  Grins has apparently been busy.   It is always fun and interesting to see life from the view of a 4 year old! There were about 19 of a candle, and it took me a moment to figure out that his shirt was reflecting on the picture of Angel as a baby.  Overall, though, I was entertained by, and impressed with, his pictures.  These were my favorites: